Watsapp to Signal - should you switch over?

A prelude

         When I heard about the new policy, I just shrugged it off just like any other policies that are too difficult for any lay man to understand. It didn’t bother me at all. But the moment I came to know that I am forced to agree to the terms and conditions, it did hit my senses. I felt that my freedom is at stake. That is when I called my friend and asked if we can create a new app similar to Watsapp. As usual, when ever I think of an idea, the response was that someone might have already done it. That lead me to the search and I stumbled upon ‘Signal.’ Immediately I installed Signal, and I had no one except me jumping into it. Soon I posted on facebook and got few of my friends who wanted the change. 

 

The aftermath

Not before too long, news about the switchover and the exodus to Signal forced even the CEO of Watsapp to come out in the open to alleviate the fears surrounding the new policy. They had to put out full front-page ads to stop the flow. On the funny side, based on Elon Mask’s tweet, another company with similar name made windfall gains in the sharemarket as their shares surged a whopping 5100% in three days.

 

Policy matters?

            Does it matter to you or me? Well, for me it does matter. You should decide for yourself whether it matters for you or not. We don’t have the time to get into the nitty gritties of the policies, or may not even understand any of those. I have seen people support Watsapp with the questions raised by the supporters of Watsapp. One of the questions was that, when we had been doing the same for quite a while, and as we have already given away everything through Google, Facebook, etc, why the hullaballoo?   

            Well, true that we have already surrendered almost everything. But should we still do it, knowingly? For me, I never felt any need for such kind of a freedom. That is the reason why, even before people came to know about linking bank account, pan card and what not, I have done it all. But, then, why make a fuss about this? 

 

Why switchover?

The reason is the amount of phone calls and messages I get. It has driven me to a point where I usually avoid calls from unknown numbers. There was a time I used to attend each and every call, and call back if I missed it, since I never wanted anyone to feel they are neglected. I was ever ready to lend an ear to those in need. But now, if someone wants to get in touch with me at times of struggles, it is difficult, because I don't attend calls from unknown numbers unless I am free, and I usually don't revert to them if I notice it. 

As for me, all this while I didn’t know of an alternative. Though I thought of an alternative years ago, I felt there will be no takers and hence it will be a waste of time bringing out a similar platform, even with minor changes. Of course, I couldn’t think of any additions that could drive people away from their comfort zone. Anyway, now that I have a choice, why should I let myself play the fool. I prefer to enjoy whatever freedom that is available.

            I feel I will be enslaved forever if I don’t move out when I have a choice. The ads I see, the phone calls I get, everything is linked to every single matter that I search, controlled by big players. In this era of manipulations and 'fakeism,' the real ones never reach you. 

            When I was a freelancer, I was once forced by a portal to pay and get leads from them. Though I was least interested in it, due to their coercion I took a small pack. Soon I came to know that I won’t get any leads as they put out in public only those who pay a hefty sum. So the better services I could offer for 60 to 80K were taken away by mediocre players who charge 1.5L and above, just by paying a handsome amount to the portal. People were left with no choice, as they never know what I could offer and at what price.

            When I connect that with the current scenario, I get the feeling that soon we will get not what we want, but what they give. When I say ‘they,’ those are the most powerful and rich I mean. When I have what I need right in front of me, should I bother? Well, that is where the enslavement happens. We won’t even know a product that is existing for 50 bucks when we will be offered a choice of only the one that costs 500 bucks, that too, the same product. Small players will be eliminated from the market. And if any remain, their products will be taken away by the big players. For the players it is okay, as they get the same from them too. But, we, the end consumers, will be the one who have to pay the price.

            Theatres that used to offer tickets for 20 to 50 bucks, is just an example. Once the big players came, they had to stop their businesses. They were swallowed by multiplexes and we now pay 250 to 500 for the same. Of course, facilities are better, but is it worth? And if we can be selfish enough to neglect those who cannot afford to basic entertainment, then there is no scope of another thought. Anyway, still bigger players have come in the form of OTT. But now multiplexes are crying foul. The cycle will go on. 

            For me, ‘Signal’ seems to make sense since I need to share only my contact number. They don’t take my other details. I can be in control. Moreover, Signal is an opensource platform, and until they decide to sell it, I have a choice above the enslaving app. I only wish if there was an alternative for facebook too.

             More than anything, I don’t want to be controlled like robots. I don’t want them to decide for me, a freedom I always fought for even from my parents since childhood. And if being such a slave doesn’t matter, then one need not be bothered at all. Choice is yours.

Disclaimer: 

           These are my personal views based on my understanding. I am only a human and I can make wrong assumptions. Don’t ever blindly believe in what I say. Do think, even beyond what I can, and draw your own conclusions.        

Oh! How I wish...

Some wishes come true,
Some remain forever;
Some are wished never to happen,
Some wishes seem too strange.

I wish if I could tell you,
Tell you the way you want me to;
I wish if I could give you,
Give you the way you want me to.

Is it true, is it false,
What we have within us;
Can we take, can we give,
The one that need be.

I wish if I could give you more,
The way you want it to be;
But I know not how much more,
To give you the more you want.

I wish if I knew how you measure,
Though I am sure I cannot match;
For what I have is not what you want,
And what you want is not what I have.

I wish if I could love you less,
So that I could love you more;
I wish, if I could love you a little less,
So that I could love you a little more.

Strange, as it seems to be,

I wish if I could love you less;

Not to love you any less,

But to love you a little more.

DEMONetisation - in my view

        I need not say what demonetisation is, since all of them in India would have got a taste of it. Though I started writing this as soon as demonetisation was announced I couldn't complete it due to lack of time. After quite a long time, I am continuing with this. 

      
       When my friend broke that news for me, saying that all high value currency notes are going to go extinct in the nick of time, and on seeing the news by few 'reputed' channels reporting new currencies to have IC chips which will reveal where the notes are, even if it is hidden several feet beneath earth's surface, I told him that for the first time I appreciate our PM Modi for taking a great step. But soon, as usual, doubts started creeping my mind, whether it is possible, and what could be the cost of installing chips and what could be the value of each currency if so much is spent on such technologies. Soon I added a clause on appreciating Mr Modi with 'if the new currency is going to have all the said features.'  

     Not too late everything came to light, and my opinion completely changed. I became one of the critics and started speaking against demonetisation. I don't think it is even required at this point in time to mention what went wrong because everyone should have understood it. Yet, I thought I will complete what I started.  

    As I expected, and as many people predicted, demonetisation broke the backbone of our economy. When Manmohan Singh, the previous PM, said it is a monumental disaster, and what is going to happen, they were mocking at him. But rest is history, though not for the feeble hearts. "Give me 50 days," became just another jhoomla. Many innocent lives were lost, but why should anyone care as they belong to lesser Gods. From bringing out black money, the greatest achievement became Rahul Gandhi being made to stand in queue. Many were rejoicing just for that reason as they were standing in long queues. We all stood in queue, but none of the black money holders were found to be there.      

      Meanwhile, one of my friends told me the ‘real’ reason why demonetisation was done. He said that his uncle works in the printing field who knows all about printing notes and that the real reason for the sudden declaration of demonetisation was because the printing of new notes was assigned to a Congress party leader and since he started leaking the news about demonetisation Modi had to announce it before everyone exchanged the notes. For his thinking capacity he really believed in it. I really liked the story. But unfortunately for him I felt it's another cooked up story, the reason being, BJP people entrusting Congress guy with such a task seemed too much for me to digest. I told him that how foolish Modi must be to do that, that too when he is working day and night to have a nation without Congress (Congress-mukth Bharat in his own words). Moreover, this is the era of watsapp. How long would it take for the news to spread like wildfire.  Yet not even one person knew it, even after the Congress guy leaked the news. 

            Modi said that it was to create a cashless economy that he did it. But, to make a cashless economy, he could have simply eliminated all high denomination notes for ever. If every office accepts only digital payment and only small denominations up to 100 were to be allowed, even corruption could have been controlled to a greater extent. But then why did he introduce still higher denomination of 2000? Other than for elections, why else would he have introduced it? Why else would he do that? And most importantly, before we even saw the notes it was available with the terrorists.

            As per his declaration, even fuel surcharge was waived off during that period. But I got charged for it. When I enquired they said though he said so, there was no instruction given. I need not wonder how a person could sit on the PM chair and lie so blatantly, cus it’s not just a one-off incident. We can write an epic on the lies starting from 15 lakh on every account. 

       By the way, the reason for demonetisation kept changing colours on a regular basis. If we ask the ardent supporters, even today each one will have a different reason, just like our diverse culture. From curtailing black money to stopping terrorism, reasons were aplenty. On the economic front, few economists blindly supported it with their own theories as usual, while others told what exactly is going to happen. Me being an ordinary guy who has no idea about how economy works, I relied on those who made sense. 

       

     There were many who even said they will quit politics if their reasons were proven wrong. They were all proven wrong, yet neither did they quit nor did anyone ask for it. As a normal person, what I felt was that if demonetisation was a success as they still ‘claim,’ then why hasn't our tax collection increased phenomenally. I have noticed that more than 70% more sellers have started giving bills. There was a time I had to insist on bills. Even after getting a taxed bill I was not sure if the receipts were original those days. But now they themselves have started issuing bills. Even if we keep it at 50% increase, then that means our income generation should have doubled. But it has not happened.  

      Anyway, all the black money came into their kitty. When cooperative banks were not allowed to operate, the bank in which Amith Shah was the director received the greatest amount of demonetised notes. Amith Shah's son's company made a windfall. For me it sounds absurd to think that a company that was not making any profit and all of a sudden made profits in crores and within no time it became bankrupt. And the irony is that the company made all the profits merely by selling seeds when farmers were suiciding. At the end of the day, demonetisation did serve the purpose - they won the ensuing elections by fooling people. I don't know if any one who voted for them still has understood what exactly happened, and will even understand. Maybe after few generations, they might.

The conquest

Human race, the race that raced

'Gainst all odds that they faced

From premitive, the imperative,

From ages to ages, the fugitive.

On the pursuit when races fell

As they advanced through the races to hell

Numerous heads often rolled

To boast of the power that they hold. 

Cries lost, at times in the womb

When bodies piled tomb after tomb

Races that raced against each other

To conquer, life after life wither

The myth of race, a drunken race

When no mercy held the ace;

Hail, hail, hear the voice rise

As humanity at the feet of merciless lies.

Wake up, wake up, oh humanity if not dead

Out from the dream off of the bed

There's a bright day out there

Beyond the mask that we wear

Hail, hail, let the voice rise

Of a new beginning, a new sunrise

Hail, hail, may humanity prevail

Beyond the colors that we hail